234 JOURNAL OF THE LEPIDOPTERISTS' SOCIETY

THE LIFE HISTORY OF EXPRlMENS ()

D. F. HARDWICK Entomology Research Institute, Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario

In more recent North American literature, the Pyrrhia has been included in the noctuid subfamily Amphipyrinae; genitalic characters show it to be a true constituent of the subfamily Heliothidinae, however. This relationship is substantiated by the larval habit of feeding primarily on the flowers and fruits of its host plants, and by the structure of the larva itself which is close to that of other species of the Heliothidinae (Crumb, 1956; Gardner, 1946). There are two North American species of Pyrrhia: umbra (Hufn.) and exprimens (Wlk.). The latter has, until recently, been considered only a subspecies of umbra. For much of their respective distributions, how­ ever, the two occur sympatrically, and they differ not only in maculation and colouring but in the structure of the male genitalia. In exprimens the ground colour is orange-brown rather than golden as in umbra; in the male genitalia, both the valve and the ampulla are shorter in exprimens than in umbra. In eastern North America, exprimens is generally of more northern dis­ tribution than is umbra. The former is distributed in southern Canada from the Atlantic to Pacific coasts. In eastern North America, it occurs southward at least to Pennsylvania, and in the west at least to Colorado. The few specimens I have from the latter state are all of the heavily suf­ fused form, stilla Grt., and these may reprcsent a distinctive southwestern race of exprimens. is rather a general feeder, being recorded from a wide variety of plants. Forbes (1954) listed larvae as feeding on , Desmodium, and Iuglans. The Canadian Forest Survey (Prentice, 1962) has recovered larvae from Populus, Salix, Rosa, and Prunus. In addition to these records, there are specimens in the Canadian National Collection reared from Althea, Betula, and Delphinium. The species is, on occasion, a pest of delphinium in the Ottawa area, the young larvae feeding on the blossoms and boring through the unopened buds. Although exprimens is obviously broadly polyphagous, the ovipositing female does seem to show definitc preferences in host plant selection. A single female of exprimens was exposed to four sprays of plants in an ovi­ position container. Each of the sprays was of comparable size, and each was replaced daily in the oviposition container. Over a period of cleven days, the numbers of eggs laid on each were as follows: Geranium sp., VOLUME 24, NUMJ3ER 4 23.5

447; Phlox sp., 151; Chrysanthemum sp., 64; Ranunculus sp., 33. In addi­ tion to these, 29 eggs were laid on the wads of cotton wool that secured the sprays in vials of water. Eggs were deposited singly at the apex of the food plant. In all, the single wild-caught female deposited 724 eggs. Pyrl'hia exprimens overwinters as a pupa in a cell a few inches below the surface of the ground. On the basis of records available, the species is single-brooded throughout its range.

Descriptions of Stages The descriptions of immature stages in the following section were based on the progeny of a single female taken at Ottawa, Ontario. The rearing methods employed were those outlined by Hardwick (1958). Larvae were reared individually on cranesbill (Geranium sp.) at room tempera­ ture. Of 63 larvae reared to the pupal stage, 21 matured in five larval stadia, 42 matured in six stadia, and one matured in seven stadia. The estimate of variability, following the means for various measurcments, is the standard deviation.

Adult (Figs. 1, 2). Ground colour orange-brown rather than golden as in umbra. Head and thorax clothed with mixed spatulated and hair-like vestiture. Head and thorax orange-brown, concolorous with forewing; abdomen predominantly greyish­ brown dorsally. Forewing orange-brown, variably suffused with violet or reddish­ brown in subterminal space and outer half of median space. Transverse anterior line forming three distinct outward angles. The anterior half of a basal line usually evident. Transverse posterior line weakly bisinuate, angling strongly inward from costal to trailing margins. Orbicular spot large, usually circular, occasionally with some dark central shading. Reniform spot large, irregular, usually darkly suffused centrally. Median line well defined, angling outward to postero-inner angle of reni­ form, then angling inward to trailing margin. Median space, distal to median line, variably suffused with violet or reddish-brown, occasionally heavily so. Subtemlinal line irregular, scalloped between tbe veins. Subterminal space usually suffused with violet or reddish-brown. Terminal space concolorous with basal area of median space. Usually a narrow, dark, terminal line. Fringe concolorous with terminal space. Hin

Figs. 1-6. Pynhia expTimens (Wlk.). 1, 2, Adults, Ottawa, Onto and Lethbridge, Alta.; 3, left lateral aspect of ultimate instars; 4- 6, dorsal aspect of ultimate instars.

Incubation pe"iod; 5 days in all specimens observed. First-Stadium Larva. Head very dark brown. Prothoraeie shield somewhat lighter brown. Suranal shield medium to dark brown. Trunk cream or light yellow, without maculation. Setal bases and thoracic legs dark brown; setal bases large and prominent. Rims of spiracles medium to dark hrown. Head width: 0.355 ± 0.013 mm (45 larvae). Duration of stadium: larvae matming in five stadia, 6.9 ± 1.8 days (21 larvae); larvae maturing in six stadia, 7.0 ± 1.7 days (41 larvae). Second-Stadium Larva. Head shiny hlack. Prothoracie shield dark greyish-brown. Sunmal shield greyish-brown. Trunk yellow or crcam and usually unmarked; a pair VOLUME 24, NUMBER 4 2.'37

of subdorsal whitish-grey lines evident in some specimens. Setal bases, rims of spiracles and thoracic legs varying from dark greyish-brown to black. Head width: 0.561 ± 0.038 mm (63 larvae). Duration of stadium: larvae maturing in five stadia, 3.3 ± 1.0 days (21 larvae); larvae maturing in six stadia, 3.7 ± 1.5 days (41 larvae). Third-Stadium Larva. Head complctely black, or black marked laterally and in centrc of face with greyish-yellow. Prothoracic shield medium to dark chocolate­ brown with a dull greenish-yellow median line and a pair of lateral greenish-yellow, submarginal patches; in a few specimens pale submarginal patches so extensively developed as to almost obliterate brown colouring. Suranal shield medium to dark chocolate-brown; in some specimens with a median, and a pair of lateral, dull greyish­ yellow spots. Trunk varying from greenish-yellow to rather dark green, with a pair of pale-yellow dorso-lateral lines; middorsal band often darker than remainder of trunk. A narrow, pale-yellow, subspiracular line usually evident. Setal bases and rims of spiracles black. Thoracic legs and proleg shields dark brown to black. Head width: 0.937 ± 0.091 mm (68 larvae). Duration of stadium: larvae maturing in five stadia, 4.8 ± 1.5 days (21 larvae); larvae maturing in six stadia, 4.9 ± 1.4 days ( 41 larvae). Antipenulthnate-}'ourth-Stadium Larva. Head varying from completely black, through black marked with brown laterally and in centre of face, to black with exten­ sive greenish-fawn areas in middle of parietal lobes. Prothoracic shield greenish­ yellow, typically with four anterior and four posterior black patches; black patches variably fused. Suranal shield greenish-yellow marked with blackish-brown; least maculate shield with four anterior and four posterior marginal spots. Middorsal band green, yellow, or light orange-brown, usually well defined. Subdorsal arca consisting of a median band similar in colour to middorsal band and light yellow marginal lines; median band of subdorsal area variably suffused with light yellow. Supraspiracular area concolorous with middorsal band. Spiracular band light yellow, varying greatly in width and prominence. Suprapodal area concolorous with middorsal band. Midventral area paler yellow than suprapodal area. Setal bases large and black. Rims of spiracles dark brown. Thoracic legs and proleg shields dark brown or black. Head width: l.31 ± 0.07mm (42 larvae). Duration of stadium: 3.3 ± 1.6 days (41 larvae). Penultimate-Stadium Larva. H ead usually varying from light green to fawn and marked with black; head occasionally black marked with brown, or less commonly entirely black. Pro thoracic shield pale green to greenish-fawn, marked along anterior anti posterior margins with black; shield occasionally entirely black. Suranal shield usually poorly distinguished from trunk, occasionally suffused with black. Middorsal band varying from yellowish-fawn through yellowish-green to bluish-green; usually a faint, discontinuous, pale-yellow median line through middorsal band. Subdorsal area yellow with a variably defined, darker, median band; median band similar in colour to middorsal band, variably suffused with yellow and with a broken and irregular median line; median band of subdorsal area oftcn so heavily suffused with yellow as to almost obliterate darker colouring. Supraspiracular area concolorous with middorsal band, variably and irregularly marked with white or pale yellow. Spiracular band shades of yellow, usually bright yellow and prominent. Suprapodal area similar in colour to middorsal band hut paler. Midventral area paler than suprapodal area. Setal bases large and black. Rims of spiracles dark brown. Thoracic legs and proleg shields dark brown or black. Head width: 1.81 ± 0.17 mm (72 larvae) . Duration of fourth stadium of larvae maturing in five stadia: 4.9 ± 1.0 days (21 larvae) . Duration of fifth stadium of larvae maturing in six stadia: 3.5 ± l.0 days (41 larvae) . Ultimate-Stadium Larva. (Figs. 3-6). Extremely variable in colouring and macu­ lation. Head varying from pale greyish-yellow, through greenish-yellow, orange- 238 JOURNAL OF THE LEPIDOPTERISTS' SOCIETY

Figs. 7, 8. Pyrrhia exprirnens (Wlk.) , apical abdominal segments of pupa. 7, Ventral; 8, right lateral.

yellow and mange to orange-brown; darker heads almost always with hlack arcs diverging upward and outward from ,"-entre of face and with a black band across frons and lower surface of genae. Prothmacic shield showing same colour variation as head, commonly-marked with black spots or patches near anterior and posterior margins. Suranal shield usually blending with colouring and maculation of trunk. Rims of spiracles light brown. Setal bases varying from black to concolorous with trunk; paler setal bases usually each with a dark apical ring. Thoracic legs and proleg shields varying from black to concolorous with suprapodal area. Trunk white, yellow, or green variably marked with black; yellow larvae often so heavily marked with black as to appear predominantly black. Yellow and black colour phase: Middorsal band black with an irregular and discon­ tinuous, white or yellow, median line. Subdorsal area yellow and white with two irregular and discontinuous, black median lines. Supraspiracular area dull black variably and irregularly marked with pale olive-green and white. Spiracular band white dorsally, pale yellow ventrally. Suprapodal area pale olive-green, variably and irregularly marked with dull black. Midventral area pale olive-grecn. Yellow coloW' phase: Middorsal band greyish- or brownish-yellow weakly marked with black. Subdorsal area paler, clear yellow, with a pair of vaguely expressed black median lines. Supraspiracular area brownish- or greyish-yellow; irregularly marked with dark brown, particularly along margins. Spiracular band clear light yellow, mar­ gined dorsally with white. Suprapodal area greyish-yellow, lightly and irregularly marked with clear, light yellow. Midventral area somewhat paler than suprapodal area. Green colour phase: Middorsal band apple-green. Subdorsal area creamy-white, irregularly marked in middle of each segment with pale green. Supraspiracular area green, irregularly and variably marked with creamy-white. Spiracular band creamy­ white. Suprapodal area green, lightly and irregularly marked with white. Midventral area greyish-green. White colour phase: Middorsal band black, discontinuous, often almost completely suppressed. Subdorsal area dead white with a pair of variably expressed median black lines; a prominent orange blotch in middle of each segment and extending into mid­ dorsal area. Supraspiracular area hlack, variably and irregularly mottled with white; black of supraspiracular area often suppressed on at least some segments. Spiracnlar band orange, often irregularly defined from snpraspiracular area. SuprapodaJ area VOLUME 24, NUMBEn 4

dark purplish-brown, variably and irregularly marked with white, usually lightly so . Midvental area dirty yellow-grey. Various gradations between these macular forms may also be found. Head width: 2.86 ± 0.11 mm (23 larvae). Duration of fifth stadium of larvae maturing in five stadia: 7.8 ± 1..5 days (21 larvae) . Duration of sixth stadium of larvae maturing in six stadia: 6.4 ± 1.5 days (41 larvae) . Pupa (Figs. 7, 8). Uniform orange-brown. Spiracles on a level with general sur­ face of cuticle or borne in very shallow depressions. Anterior areas of abdominal segments 4, 5, 6, and 7 rather heavily pitted; dorsal surface of abdominal segments 1, 2, 3, and 8 moderately pitted. Proboscis terminating between apexes of wings. Cremaster consisting of two, rather short setae borne at the apex of a conical pro­ longation of the tenth abdominal segment. Length to posterior margin of fourth ahdominal segment: 11.5 ± 0.8 mm (14 pupae).

Acknowledgment I appreciate the assistance of my associate, Mr. E. W. Rockburne in measuring larval structures, and in drawing the cremaster area of the pupa.

Literature Cited CRUMB, s. E. 1956. The larvae of the Phalaenidae. U.S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bull. 1135, 365 pp. Fomms, W. T . M. 19.54. of New York and neighboring states , Part III. Cornell Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta. Mem. 329,433 pp. CARDNEH, J. C. M. 1946. On larvae of the Noctuidae (Lepidoptera )-1. Trans. R. ent. Soc. Lond. 96: 61-72. HARDWICK, D. F. 1958. , life history, and habits of the elliptoid-eyecl species of Schinia (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae), with notes on the Heliothic1inae. Can. Ent. Suppl. 6, 116 pp. PRENTICE, R. M. (compiler) 1962. Forest Lepidoptera of Canada, Vol. 2. Canada Dept. F orestry Bull. 128,281 pp. WALKER, F. 1857. List of the specimens of Lepic1opterous in the collection of the British Museum, Part 11. London.

A MELANIC ABERRATION OF PAPILlO CRESPHONTES (PAPILIONIDAE) In 1964, I caught an extreme melanic specimen of Papilio cresphontes Cram. The specimen was taken in New Orleans during migrating season, probably in November. It is of normal si ze ancl nearly all black with small amounts of white where yellow should be. The hind wings are nearly all black. The specimen, considerably broken when caught, was sent to Dr. Alexander B. Klots at thc American Museum of Natural History in February of 1970 for identification. His return letter stated that the museum has nothing like it, and that although several Society members have recorded melanism, none are as extreme as this. VERNON A. BROD In., Route 1, Box 74, Edgard, Louisiana.